EVANSTON — Wraparound Solutions, a Medicaid waiver program for families with children with emotional and behavioral needs, recently was awarded a “Little Free Library.” Wraparound Solutions received the library, along with 1,000 free books provided by Scholastic and Dav Pilkey, author of “Dog Man and Cat Kid” and the “Captain Underpants” series, in partnership with the Little Free Library nonprofit organization, which provides little standing libraries in all 50 states in the U.S.

“The new little library stands outside our building on the corner at 1101 Center Street,” owner Diva Bermudez said. “Children are welcome to come anytime and select a book to take home.  The books are free and do not have to be returned.”

The grand opening of the free library took place at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 31, during the city’s School’s Out, Summer’s In event in downtown Evanston. Each child who attended received a free book as part of the “Power Up with Reading” initiative.

Bermudez said the local Walmart donated 180 Otterpops to give the children during the event and, that morning, they had received another 250 books donated by FedEx, which had recently organized a book drive.

“I want to give a special thank you to my father, Hector Bermudez, who volunteered to install the little library and cleaned up the entire yard area for the event,” Bermudez said. “We are excited to have the little library here.”

A large group of children and parents lined up to pick a book that afternoon and Pilkey’s books seemed to be a favorite for most.